Business had me going to Stockholm for a few days in September. It also gave me a nice opportunity to log some new aircraft types I have wanted for a long time – the MD being a priority.

I had one day free during my trip and I was planning on using it to fly of course. I contacted FlyingFinn, local expert in flying, for some advice on interesting flights. At first I wanted to go to Norway, where I have not been for more than 10 years, but all the flights from ARN were 736/7, no MD there. I wanted to avoid CPH, as I have been there last year and wanted to visit a new airport. I have found a great day trip with BT and SK from ARN-RIX-HEL-ARN all for just 118 euro and it would give me two new props and the MD on the way back. But later one another meeting was scheduled for that day, so now I only had the afternoon off. At the end I booked a simple ARN-HEL-ARN that will hopefully give me the B736 on one leg and the MD on the other. Once I shared my plans with FlyingFinn he has decided to join me on the MD flight, a nice surprise and I was now looking forward to these flights even more.

To get to ARN I will fly with LX and LH, so my final routing was LJU-ZRH-ARN-HEL-ARN-FRA-LJU. One of the airplanes that I always found interesting was also the A321 and that’s why I have chosen the ARN-FRA flight, as it was scheduled to be operated by one. After two outstanding long haul flights with Swiss I also wanted to try them on a European route.

As most of my trips, it all started with a drive from my house to LJU airport. My little brother, who has just gotten his driver’s license, was kind enough to take me to the airport and saved me the ridiculously high parking fee (around 70 EUR for four days). Since I was early I went and check out the condition of the DC-6 parked near the terminal.

You used to be able to go inside the cabin, but not anymore.

The airport was still quite sleepy at this time in the morning.

I have had some problems checking in for connecting flights via the airport website, so I skipped online check-in and did it all in the terminal. No line, nice employee, last and second-last row windows on my request and an 'I wish you a pleasant flight' smile for goodbye. Nice experience this morning.

JP364 LJU-ZRH 07:45-09:00 CRJ2 S5-AAI

Aircraft was supposed to be a CRJ9 just until the night before, when it got changed to a CRJ2. I hope this was the last equipment change on this trip, otherwise it will be quite disappointing for me.

S5-AAI is leased to JP until 2012 and they are not going to keep it, so this was probably my last flight on this plane so I did not mind the equipment change.

No choices today, a cheese sandwich for everyone. This was my first flight on JP with only one FA on the CRJ2, never seen that before.

Load factor was 100% in economy, a few seats remained unoccupied in business. It’s interesting that on ZRH flights JP has five rows of business on the CRJ2 and on FRA and MUC flights there are always just three. At least that’s how it was on all my flights so far.

I was looking forward to the approach into ZRH as it always offers some nice views on the beautifully Swiss scenery, but unfortunately nothing but clouds to see today.

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This was our view for most of the descent.

Finally we have broken out of the clouds just before landing on runway 34.

Opposed to the sun and 30 degrees in Ljubljana, it was cold and wet in Zurich, but I better get used to it as Stockholm weather report was not showing anything better.

This Finnair flight had quite a substantial delay.

The day before my departure I arranged a quick meet with a.netter and trip reporter H. (Infodesk), she was conveniently working the early shift on the airside infodesk. We had a nice chat at one of the restaurants during her break and it made the longish layover go by a lot faster. Thanks again! 

After saying goodbye I spent some more time in the lounge and around the airport.

I really like ZRH, such a nice looking airport, not too crowded at this central area, it is very calm and relaxing.

I then made my way towards gate A84 all the way down at the A pier.

My A319 waiting for the flight to ARN.

This part is not as nice as the main one or the E gates, but not bad either.

I found a nice spot by the window and watched some planes.

LX1250 ZRH-ARN 12:40-15:05 A319 HB-IPV

The cabin looked a bit old, but the seats were comfortable.

Rainy ZRH and a company A320 headed to FCO.

After takeoff from runways 28 we immediately went into the clouds and it took us some time to climb out and see some blue sky.

Luckily for me airshow was available almost the whole flight.

Meal service started from the back so I was among the first to get the small sandwich. There was an option between cheese or turkey, and, having a cheese sandwich already on JP, I went with the turkey one. It was not bad, just a bit small.

After the meal service was done we were already over central Germany.

Airshow.

I thought they will forget to hand these out. Famous Swiss chocolate.

Nothing to see outside but a layer of clouds.

1 hour and 50 minutes went by very fast and we were nearing Stockholm.

Still cloudy.

First sight of Sweden.

ARN in the top right corner of the picture.

Landing on runway 19R, we were right on time.

I tried to fit the Ethiopian flight to FCO into my schedule, but it was just not possible.

Let’s get out!

I hope to see you or one of your siblings/cousins at HEL in a few days.

A 45 minutes bus ride later I was in my room at the Scandic Continental conveniently located right next to the train station. A nice and simple hotel.

After two days of my conference and a visit to a business partner in Solna I was back in my room and preparing for my quick afternoon visit to Helsinki.

It was raining, not the best conditions for taking photos today. I opted for the bus again and it was a smooth ride to ARN.

Nice looking terminal hall.

The 13:50 was my flight.

I checked-in online, but went to one of the self service machines to print out a normal boarding pass. A quick swipe of my M&M card was enough to have my itinerary shown on the screen and soon after a new boarding pass came out.

No bags to drop off today.

Finnair Embraer OH-LKI, the same aircraft I saw at ZRH a few days ago!

I walked all the way down the F pier and enjoyed some views of aircraft passing by.

A lot of SK planes.

LH A320 to MUC leading this Star Alliance parade.

Icelandair.

I will be taking this flight tomorrow. Good sign that it was an A321 today.

BA pulling into the gate.

I like it how all the flights are printed on one boarding pass instead of having different ones.

Gate 3A for today’s flight with free newspapers available.

My good looking B736.

This part of terminal 5 is not as nice as the bright and modern F pier.

Boarding started more or less on time.

SK704 ARN-HEL 13:50-15:45 B737-600 LN-RPY

Normal SK cabin.

Boarding still in progress, it was not a full flight today, I had the whole row for myself.

Legroom is not that good, but it will do for this short flight. The last row was already taken unfortunately, the legroom is a bit better there.

Six seats just for me.

‘You should not be wearing your seatbelt now as we are refueling the aircraft.’

On our way!

Clouds again.

Cabin view from the second-last row.

Some sunshine above the clouds.

But more clouds during our descent.

Uneventful flight, BOB service, senior FAs.

Landing was on runway 22R.

Rain way my loyal companion on this trip so far.

I was in no hurry to get off as I had plenty of time.

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Since the captain was standing at the door saying goodbye to passengers, I asked if I could take a cockpit picture.

I thanked the captain and made my way into the terminal.

AY retro jet at the next gate.

The terminal was full of pax connecting to Asian destinations, every bar was packed. I received an SMS form FlyingFinn and we agreed to meet at T2 security at 16:55.

Lots of people around the airport.

I walked around the whole terminal and watched the planes outside.

Then I returned to gate 13, where the security check is located. And at exactly 16:55 I spot a familiar hat among the crowd waiting to pass through the checkpoint. I comment to P. about his on time performance and he answers: ‘Well, I have done it a few times.’ 

We went to a nearby restaurant to get something to eat.

Then FlyingFinn was kind enough to host me into the SAS lounge.

We spent the remaining time before our flight in the lounge and talking, mostly about aviation and travel of course.

Some minutes before scheduled boarding time we made our way to the gate, to make sure there was an MD parked there.

Yes! It was hard to get any decent pictures because of the rain and dark.

Gate area.

No apparent line so we just made our way onboard with the crowd.

Finally boarding my first ever MD flight!

SK709 HEL-ARN 19:45-19:45 MD82 OY-KHN

One of the FAs moved away from the door when she noticed me taking pictures…

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Inside the calm looking cabin.

Not the best weather for taking pictures outside.

Interesting no smoking and seatbelts signs.

View from my comfortable seat just before pushback started.

As I have mentioned the conditions were not ideal for photography. We taxied to runway 22R and enjoyed a steep climb away from HEL.

Nothing unusual inside the seat pocket.

Once the BOB cart passed our row it was time to get up and take a look around. Row 26 was not as loud as I would have expected, but those rows near the back were the real deal  There was a lot of noise and you could not see anything but the red engine.

Before I started reading A.net I did not even realize that the MD’s have a door in the back.

Cabin view from the back. It was cool to be in an aircraft a bit different from the normal Airbuses and Boeings.

I do not think I have ever used the toilet on a narrow body. I did take a picture of course 

Rear galley.

Our seats, 26AB.

Nice looking sunset on the other side.

As all of the flights on this trip, this one passed by very quickly and we were soon approaching ARN.

I would not mind a bit longer flight, but my objective – fly on the MD – was fulfilled and I was happy about that. It was a great flight!

Cabin just before landing.

Here we are, back to ARN again.

What was a specially flight for me was just another ‘day in the office’ for FlyingFinn 

The windows got quite foggy after we docked at our gate.

Come on, don’t you want to spend some more time on this aircraft? I do…

Interestingly, on my CO B753 flight the FAs instructed pax to put them in ‘with the wheels facing towards you, as they seem to fit better that way.’

Being the last two to get out I asked for a photo of the cockpit. The captain asked me where I’m from and looked a bit confused when I responded with ‘Slovenia’. He looked even more confused when I told him I took this flight just for flying on the MD.

One last look at ‘Dan Viking’

Once at the entrance to the SAS lounge I said goodbye to FlyingFinn. He returned to HEL on the next SK flight, I went back to my hotel in Stockholm. I made a quick stop upstairs to check in and pick up my boarding pass for tomorrow flights back home.

It was not long before I went back to the airport, the next morning actually. This time I decided to try the Arlanda express.

The ride was quick and comfortable.

Oh no, I have missed my flight to Ljubljana! Fortunately I’m not flying directly to LJU today. There were two JP flights that I could have taken and fit my schedule perfectly – there was a flight on Sunday afternoon and this one on Thursday morning. But where’s the fun in that? 

I dropped off my bag at one of the counters. It is the size of a carry on, but I like to walk a lot around airports and prefer not to drag it around with me. Gate 3A today, same as yesterday! Nice looking Thai 747 seen from the Skycity.

Once airside I was quite scared by this A320. But I knew that gate 3A is on the other side and that the MUC flight is an A320, so I still expected the A321.

Charter to Greece.

OH-LEE

Is this the last BT Fokker I will see?

Once I got to gate 3A there was a heavily delayed Airbus to Chania already parked there. FIDS indicate that gate 7 was the way to go now.

I took a seat near the window and soon – yes, here it is, the expected A321! It looked like I will be able to get all three new types!

Boarding was quite chaotic with five rows forming and I was in the slowest moving one. After a few minutes another agent started boarding on the other side of the gate, I had better luck in that row.

LH803 ARN-FRA 12:40-14:45 A321-100 D-AIRU

Almost inside the A321. I always wanted JP to get the A321 when I was younger, it just looks so cool. And finally I was getting a chance to fly on one today.

Captain patiently waiting for the next load of PAX to board.

Würzburg.

The A321 is long and my seat was in the back section.

Sufficient legroom.

Not so bad weather in Stockholm on the day of my departure.

With the never ending flow of passengers into the cabin I gave up hope of an empty middle seat. The flight was almost completely full, I only noticed three seats open in economy. And luckily, one of those was right next to me.

It sure makes any flight more enjoyable.

Off we go from runway 19R.

Bye bye, Sweden, I have enjoyed my stay and hope to come back sometime.

Clouds again.

What is that inside the window?

A nice smell of something warm filled the cabin (it was not fire, don’t be scared) and the meal service started soon after. This time from the front so I was among the last to get the…

I’m not sure what this was. Maybe some of our German friends can help out.

It was handed out with a smile from the nice FA, the crew was very nice on this flight.

Drink trolley still quite far away from my row.

Already over the sea.

I spent the remainder of the flight relaxing and listening to some music.

1 hour and 45 minutes of flying time was announced by the captain and the time was just flying by. We soon started to sink into the clouds (again).

Interesting weather in Germany. It looks warm and cold at the same time.

Some nice light effects.

We landed on runway 25L at Frankfurt almost right on time. I did not have a minute of delay (well, maybe a minute or two) on any of my six flights on this trip.

It was nice to be at Frankfurt again.

This A343 had to wait for us to race over 25C.

Our gate at the A gates.

Appropriately to the occasion of my first A321 flight we parked next to an A321.

After we stopped at the gate we just waited there for a good five minutes with our engines still running and something amazing happened – no one got up! Everybody was just patiently waiting for the captain to turn off the seatbelt sign.

That’s more like it!

I was in no hurry with my four hour layover and waited for most of the passengers to leave.

Thanks for the nice ride.

A15 was our gate today.

And Würzburg was continuing to Berlin afterwards.

I made my way to my favorite restaurant to get something to eat and then off to the visitor’s terrace. Out of all security checks on this trip I only beeped at the entrance to the terrace and I was searched more thoroughly than on any security inside the airport.

It was good to be up here again.

I am not in Scandinavia anymore, am I?

The weather was great, warm and partly cloudy.

After a good hour of enjoying the sun and watching the planes I returned to T1 and took my preferred chair next to gate B11 – but they have put a bunch of barracks over there since my last visit. So no good views from here anymore.

I checked one of the computers with flight details and noticed that S5-AAI was operating this flight, the same CRJ2 that flew me into ZRH a few days prior. I guess that flight was not my last one on S5-AAI.

JP149 FRA-LJU 19:00-20:15 CRJ2 S5-AAI

The last row was unable to select on the seat map and the second-last row already had both aisles taken. So I had to settle for 11D and I had a neighbor, while the last rows remained unoccupied and only one passenger in row 12. The people around me were quite annoying so I put on my headphones right after takeoff.

Interesting ‘snackbox’ was given out. There was a choice of a meat or cheese sandwich. JP sure changes the sandwich provider a lot, this was the fifth or sixth different kind I have received.

After landing I was the first one off the bus and my bag was already on the conveyor, very impressive work by LJU ground staff 

A nice trip has come to an end, but it did provide some very nice flights. A BIG thank you to both Infodesk and FlyingFinn for their company at ZRH and HEL respectively. It was great to take a flight with another A.netter, thanks again to FF for taking his time to do the HEL-ARN trip with me.

A few other interesting things happened after my arrival back home – photophil posted his trip report on the same ARN-HEL-ARN trip I did and he actually flown the ARN-HEL flight on the same day as me. He was scheduled on the same 19:45 HEL-ARN MD82 the next day, but his flight was cancelled. I guess my worries about equipment changes or cancellations weren’t that far from coming true, so I’m glad that it ended up ok and I hope that Philip will be able to get the SK MD82 some other day. Another A.netter cliffak also responded to our comments and we found out we were on the same flight! What are the chances, a small world indeed. Unfortunately we were not able to meet, but the guys are scheduling a meeting at ARN if anyone is interested: A.netter Meeting At ARN?(by photophil Sep 26 2011 in Non Aviation) .

My flown list looks a bit more colorful now: ATR42, A319, A320, A321, A333, A346, A388, B717, B733/4/5/6/8/9, B744, B752, B753, B764, B772, B77L, B77W, CRJ2, CRJ9, F100, MD82 and some seaplane No Embraers yet, so with some of my FlyingBlue miles expiring in a few months and AF having three daily Embraer flights to LJU that might be the next thing to do.

A nice new report from your hand! It's good to read everyting turned out as planned, you got the right plane type to the right airport, right on time And of course when going to HEL, you just cannot 'not meet' FlyingFinn, he's always around.

Quoting SloAir (Thread starter):Aircraft was supposed to be a CRJ9 just until the night before, when it got changed to a CRJ2

Too bad you missed out on the CRJ9 and on top of that you got the same reg twice

Nice to have your Nordic (remember, Finland is not part of Scandinavia as many people in this board are eager to tell you! ) report up. Good for you to catch so many different and new plane types for your log, always nice, and especially since you managed to combine those into your business trip. Good variety of airlines as well.

It certainly was great meeting you and having another (for me at least) Mad Dog flight together. It's great that you managed to score your first flight with the type - they aren't that common anymore (unless flying AA in Northern America...). For me, as I said it's bread and butter, that was my 51st flight aboard an MD-82, second with Dan Viking. And my 41st time flying HEL-ARN. I have a couple of more SK Mad Dog flights booked, let's see if there are any equipment changes.

Nice report with nice pictures ! Funny that you stayed at Continental Hotel in Stockholm since I used to work there on weekends when I was in high school almost 30 years ago.......

I don't like the combination boarding passes and prefer one for each flight. I guess I would just say I lost mine to get new for each flight.

Nice that the flights worked out for you and no equipment changes except for JP......Legroom on the SK 736 is abysmal as always. Nice that you met up with FlyingFinn to go on one flight together. Did you sit behind the galley in the back next to the engine ? Not much of a view from there/

I have also OY-KHN in my log; LHR-ARN 12May07.

Nice that you got the LH 321 but it's one of my least favorite aircraft because it feels very cramped to me. Really feels like you travel on a BUS. Gate 7 at ARN used to be the gate for the SK 747 to JFK when they had those, last one left in 1987 or so I think.

Quoting airbuseric (Reply 3):btw, you pictured a TG 777F on approach to FRA, that is probably also the last time you saw it since it will go to Southern Air for DHL. One of both TG 777's is already repainted.

Interesting, thanks for the info. So I spotted this plane three times - first, last and never again.

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 4):Nice to have your Nordic (remember, Finland is not part of Scandinavia as many people in this board are eager to tell you! &nbsp report up.

I can totally understand you, it's the same with Slovenia being in Central Europe and not in Eastern or South-Western Europe. But since all of my flights involved ARN I went with Scandinavia. Chasing them around Sweden, Finland and Germany would be a bit too long

Sure. Just yesterday it was all over our media that there are plans of new low-cost routes from LJU to Italy, Spain, Germany, Ireland and Scandinavia. We'll se about that.

Quoting The777Man (Reply 5):I don't like the combination boarding passes and prefer one for each flight. I guess I would just say I lost mine to get new for each flight.

Well the one boarding pass is more convenient, but you are right, it is also nice to have a separate one for each flight. So getting a new boarding pass for each flight and using the one that has all of them on seems like the best option

Quoting The777Man (Reply 5):Nice that you met up with FlyingFinn to go on one flight together. Did you sit behind the galley in the back next to the engine ? Not much of a view from there/

We were seated in the front of the galley, so we had an unobstructed view outside.

Quoting The777Man (Reply 5):Nice that you got the LH 321 but it's one of my least favorite aircraft because it feels very cramped to me. Really feels like you travel, on a BUS.

I found it quite comfortable, it was long and the cabin was the same as all the other LH Airbuses.

Quoting The777Man (Reply 5):Gate 7 at ARN used to be the gate for the SK 747 to JFK when they had those, last one left in 1987 or so I think.

Interesting to know that, thanks for the info. I can't imagine how crowded it must have been there when a full 747 was boarding.

Quoting SloAir (Thread starter):After we stopped at the gate we just waited there for a good five minutes with our engines still running and something amazing happened – no one got up! Everybody was just patiently waiting for the captain to turn off the seatbelt sign.

interesting report with some nice pics, and of course congratulations on logging some new plane types. Especially great to catch the Mad Dog, for sure something special. I have had that pleasure for the first time last year on Alitalia and I am eager to catch that plane again, but no luck so far. A shame that you couldn't use the rear stairs, that really adds to the experience.

Also nice that you managed to meet some other a.netters.

Quoting SloAir (Thread starter):I’m not sure what this was. Maybe some of our German friends can help out.

Hmm, no idea, looks like something between a pizza and a French "tarte flambee", so a rather international snack. But nice to get something warm.

What a cool trip report. Any excuse to fly with the MD-80 is a good one in my book!

I particularly liked the pictures of the DC-6 in LJU. The aircraft actually looks rather well preserved, especially given that it does not appear to be protected from the elements. Does the airport pay to keep it in such good shape?

On a side note, what's the current financial state of JP? For a while things looked rather bleak. Any improvements?

I'm not sure who is responsible to take care of the plane. It has been cleaned and repaired just recently again.

Quoting knightsofmalta (Reply 15):On a side note, what's the current financial state of JP? For a while things looked rather bleak. Any improvements?

It looks a bit better now, they have received a new loan and signed a new contract with the union, so they might be able to go through. But the fleet will be smaller with the winter schedule, only one of the current four A320 family will stay and one CRJ is also leaving the fleet.

Quoting FLIEGER67 (Reply 16):Also good to see travel or airports with A.net company. Something more from my hand in this case is soon to come, you know.

Hi Markus, yes, having A.net company makes any trip great. I know what you mean, I'm eagerly awaiting that

great report with good pictures as usual! Congratulations on getting the MD-80! I always enjoyed my flights on these birds.

Quoting SloAir (Thread starter):Aircraft was supposed to be a CRJ9 just until the night before, when it got changed to a CRJ2. I hope this was the last equipment change on this trip, otherwise it will be quite disappointing for me.

Hey great report and very enjoyable read. Shame you can't get inside that beauty in LJU. Nice varied report on a few airlines. Id love to fly JP again one day . I only had one flight with them but I loved it .

Fantastic report. How wonderful that you could fix a meeting with both P. and Hannah on your trip. A.net meeting is always exciting!

Quoting SloAir (Thread starter):My little brother, who has just gotten his driver’s license, was kind enough to take me to the airport and saved me the ridiculously high parking fee (around 70 EUR for four days)

Quoting SloAir (Thread starter):cockpit. The captain asked me where I’m from and looked a bit confused when I responded with ‘Slovenia’. He looked even more confused when I told him I took this flight just for flying on the MD.

He's obvouosly not had the pleasure of meeting any a.netters before then.

Nice Scandinavian trip report, seems like I'm the only trip reporter who has yet to come there. Nice to meet some trip reporters on the way as well. Another nice bonus is to log some new aircraft types.... All makes it an interesting trip..

I've looged HP-IPV from BRU to ZRH back in 2006.

Greetings
Marc

Next trip report: Well worn A330s and Hassle free MUC transfer

25 SloAir
: Hi PH, thanks for your comment, the MD80 sure is a nice aircraft. Yes, that's what matters Hi Roger, Embraers are still on my to-fly list and every r

26 stipica
: Hi Blaž ... I'm glad that you succeeded and that you share the experience with us ... Inex-Adria flew SPU-ZAG-LJU with MD82 and a couple of times I w

27 gabrielchew
: Great photo I don't like it then whey do that That woudn't be a good seat on a long flight I'm flying LH ARN-MUC this weekend How civilised!

28 parton87
: Hello Blaž! Thanks for the nice story with some really nice pictures. Congratulations to your new A/C types, that´s always fun! It seems that you al

29 SloAir
: Hehe, thanks for the comment stipica. It's a shame I missed out on JP MD82 and DC9 but what can you do That sounds like a lot of fun. Agree, it would

30 CrimsonNL
: Hey Blaz! Nice report! Good job logging all those different types. Hoping to log another M82 and the 736 on my way to ARN in January. Best regards, Ma